Parkinson & Other Movement Disorders Center Research
Our Goals
Our research efforts are dedicated to advancing the knowledge on movement disorders and improving the care for the affected individuals and their loved ones. Through our research, we strive to identify the most effective interventions and continue the progress toward an eventual cure for these disorders.
Our main focus is directed to:
- Improve the understanding of the wide variety of motor and non-motor symptoms
- Determine the causes and mechanisms leading to development of these diseases
- Refine and develop symptomatic and biologic interventions
Clinical Trials
UC San Diego Health is a hub for translational medicine, which is the delivery of scientific breakthroughs to patient care through clinical trials. Clinical trials may offer participants early access to treatments that will one day re-define the standard of care.
Explore our current research studies:
- Parkinson's Disease
- Corticobasal Degeneration
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Multiple System Atrophy
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Essential Tremor
- Huntington's Disease
- Tic/Tourette Syndrome
- Healthy Volunteers
Choosing to participate in clinical research is an important personal decision. There are many educational resources available to learn more about what it means to participate in research, and it may be helpful to discuss your decision with your physician or family members.
Excellent patient care is always available at UC San Diego Health, whether you choose to participate in a clinical trial or receive standard treatment. The decision to enter a clinical trial is always up to you.
More about clinical trials and your rights:
- Clinical Trials: Frequently Asked Questions
- Understanding Parkinson's: Getting Involved In Research (PDF)
- Michael J. Fox Foundation: Your Role in Research
Research Interest Survey
We’ve heard your enthusiasm for participating in research studies, and now we have a way to keep you informed when opportunities that match your interests become available. By completing this brief interest survey, you can add your name and contact information to our Movement Disorders Research Database. This allows your clinical care team to reach out when a study aligns with your eligibility, and it also helps researchers generate important preliminary data to design and launch future studies.
Please note: completing this survey does not enroll you in any UC San Diego research study. It simply lets us know you’re open to being contacted. We invite you to share your contact information and research preferences today!
Brain Bank Donation Program
Did you know there is a shortage of brain tissue for research in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders? Assessing brain tissues gives researchers the ability to provide a definite diagnosis and examine the causes and treatments.